Dear Editor,
I refer to the article captioned ‘Carpe Diem? Maybe not…’ in ‘The Scene,’ which appeared in last Saturday’s Stabroek News (November 1). There the writer stated that the title of the fashion show, ‘Carpe Diem,’ meant new life and beginnings. It should be understood that the expression ‘Carpe diem’ is derived from the famous poem by Horace. In one of his Odes he counsels his friend Leuconoe. He reflects on the meaning of time, the actions of the gods, and the uncertainty of the future. He urges Leuconoe to seize the day (or the moment) by not trusting the future, but doing what he can with the time that he possesses instead of dwelling on future fates.
“Ask not—we cannot know—what end the gods have set for you, for me; nor attempt the Babylonian reckonings Leuconoe. How much better to endure whatever comes, whether Jupiter grants us additional winters or whether this is our last, which now wears out the Tuscan Sea upon the barrier of the cliffs! Be wise, strain the wine; and since life is brief, prune back far-reaching hopes! Even while we speak, envious time has passed: pluck the day, putting as little trust as possible in tomorrow!”
In Latin, the phrase “pluck the day putting as little trust as possible in tomorrow” translates to Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero! Thus, ‘Carpe diem’ in English, literally translates as Seize the day! Pluck! Grasp! Devour! Live for the moment! Do what you can with what you have. Make hay while the sun shines.
This is clearly different from “new life and beginnings.”
Yours faithfully,
T Gibson
